Department of Health Launches National Leadership & Management Education Initiative for Nursing Homes

LHP Skillnet is delighted to announce the launch of the Department of Health’s Nursing Homes Leadership & Management Education Initiative, a new three-year national programme that will provide one fully funded QQI Level 9 Postgraduate Certificate in Residential Care Facility Management place for every  nursing home in Ireland.

The initiative has been developed to strengthen leadership, management and governance across Ireland’s nursing home sector, supporting providers in building sustainable leadership capacity for the future.

The programme will commence at the  end August 2026, with the 2026 programme delivered online by the RCSI School of Nursing & Midwifery.

The demands on residential care leaders continue to evolve. Today’s leaders require expertise in governance, strategic management, quality improvement, workforce planning and regulatory compliance to successfully lead high-performing residential care services.

Recognising these challenges, the Department of Health has invested in this national education initiative to provide accredited leadership education that will strengthen management capability and support continuous improvement across the sector.

The initiative is managed by Leading Healthcare Providers Skillnet for the private nursing home sector and the Office of the Nursing & Midwifery Services Director for the public and voluntary sector.

The QQI Level 9 Postgraduate Certificate in Residential Care Facility Management has been specifically designed for senior leaders and managers working in designated centres for older people.

The programme is suitable for a range of leadership roles, including Persons in Charge (PICs), Deputy Persons in Charge, and Clinical Nurse Managers.

Participants will complete a series of postgraduate micro credentials  designed to develop expertise in leadership, governance, quality improvement, safeguarding, resource management, infection prevention and control, clinical risk management and health and safety governance.

This initiative has been designed to benefit not only individual participants but nursing homes as a whole.

Each eligible nursing home will have access to one fully funded programme place. Registered Providers are asked to nominate the individual who will have the greatest organisational impact, taking into account current and future leadership needs, succession planning, previous Department of Health-funded education and the wider benefits the programme will bring to their organisation.

By investing in leadership development at organisational level, the initiative aims to strengthen governance, improve compliance with regulatory requirements, foster a culture of continuous quality improvement and enhance outcomes for residents across Ireland.

Applications are now open for the August 31st 2026 intake.

As funding is limited to one programme place per nursing home, Registered Providers are encouraged to carefully consider their nomination to maximise the long-term benefits for their organisation.

For further information or to apply, please fill in the Learner Registration & Pre-Application Form:

Email: helen@lhpskillnet.ie